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GLEN PARVA PIRATES 7 - 32 RIPLEY RHINOS
FRIENDLY
Saturday 14th August 2004
Rhinos were missing eight regular players but still took a strong squad of twenty to their annual first match of the season against Glen Parva Pirates at their Leicester Youth Offenders Institution. In hot, muggy conditions, Ripley were pegged back from the first kick off with their opponents keenness and desire to contest every ball seeing them rock the visitors and it was no surprise that they opened the scoring after breaking the defensive line, despite great covering work from wingers Joe Frew & Keith Harrison and centre Gareth Roebuck. Ripley weathered the storm, and began to win set piece - debutant hooker Chris Melhuish excelling in the scrum, aided by his father Paul using his experience at prop. Rhinos managed to score themselves towards the end of the first quarter when some incisive attacking from Zeique Robinson saw him hauled down just short of the line but good recycling put fly half Dave Pickering in for the try. Ripley began to exert more control in the second quarter, with Gareth Saynor impressing watching father Derek with his lineout capabilities and communication skills. Matt Kibble’s strength from No.8 added a bite to the back row and saw him, Robinson, Saynor and replacement Shaun Colclough a formidable unit. Dave Trubee notched a penalty from 25 metres to move Ripley 8-7 ahead, then a Trubee & winger Steve Harrison combination put the speed-machine away and although he was held just short, good follow-up work from Robinson, scrum-half Matt Jones and skipper Carl Whitley saw Steve Harrison scoring with three men outside him queuing up to score. This left Rhinos 13-7 ahead at half-time but knowing if they took their foot off the gas, Parva would exploit the gaps and make them pay.
With Salisbury-bound Andy Manley replacing Pickering at the break, Rhinos put together their best 20 minutes of rugby, with the backs flowing well and when another quick break was held short of the line, good hands from Trubee & Robinson put Steve Harrison in for his second try, with Trubee finally managing to convert one from out wide. More visitor pressure saw Parva put a clearance kick straight into Trubee’s hands and he drew his man and put the impressive Joe Frew away for his first try for the club with a break up the right wing. More was to follow when Robinson again used a draw and pass to put Gareth Roebuck in for a try that Trubee converted to leave Rhinos 32-7 ahead with twenty minutes remaining. Parva dug deep and switched things round to have their strongest fifteen on the park for this last quarter, allied to Ripley’s tiring legs, which saw neither side increase their score.
Joe Frew was outstanding on the wing, deserving his first score, excelling in his cover defence and being voted man of the match. Brothers Jim and Jason Liew also played very well - Jim on his debut at prop and Jason for his powerhouse performance at second row. The Ripley squad needed this match, and will return to their final training sessions before the visit of Hope Valley 1sts to Mill Hill on Saturday 4th September.
Rhinos are still on the lookout for players of any ability who are interested in playing - ring 07816 779018 for more details.